LDF Core Strategy and Generic DC Policies
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Local Development Framework Core Strategy Generic Development Control Policies September 2007 Key Issues and Alternative Options Preferred Options Submission This document has been prepared for consultation under Regulation 26 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004 Stevenage LDF Core Strategy and Generic DC Policies 2 Stevenage LDF Core Strategy and Generic DC Policies Tell us what you think This document has been prepared for consultation and is available for public comment from Monday 24th September 2007 for six weeks. Any comments you wish to make can be sent to the Planning Policy team at Stevenage Borough Council by 5pm on Friday 2nd November 2007. Comments can be sent, faxed, emailed or delivered to: On line www.stevenage.gov.uk By mail Planning Policy Stevenage Borough Council Daneshill House Danestrete Stevenage SG1 1HN By fax 01438 242922 By textphone 01438 242444 By email [email protected] All responses will be considered and used to prepare a Submission document in June 2008 which you will have another chance to comment on. If you have any questions about this document please contact the Planning Policy team on telephone 01438 242823. 3 Stevenage LDF Core Strategy and Generic DC Policies Contents Tell us what you think .................................................................................................................... 3 Contents .......................................................................................................................................... 4 Executive summary ........................................................................................................................ 8 Core Strategy................................................................................................................................ 8 Generic Development Control Policies ......................................................................................... 9 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 10 What is the Core Strategy?......................................................................................................... 10 What are generic development control policies? ........................................................................ 10 What is the key diagram? ........................................................................................................... 10 What is a Preferred Options consultation document and how have you made your choices? ... 11 What is spatial planning and how does the new planning system work?.................................... 12 What is the East of England Plan and why is it important?......................................................... 13 What role does the Sustainable Community Strategy play?....................................................... 14 What is Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal? ............................. 14 How does the Core Strategy fit in the wider plans for Stevenage?............................................. 14 What is soundness?.................................................................................................................... 17 How will you involve the community?.......................................................................................... 17 How have you decided which matters to consult upon? ............................................................. 18 Do I need to be a planning expert to respond?........................................................................... 18 What do I need to comment upon and how should I respond?................................................... 19 What will you do with any written comments I send you?........................................................... 20 Background information .............................................................................................................. 22 History......................................................................................................................................... 22 Geography of Stevenage ............................................................................................................ 24 Opposition to growth ................................................................................................................... 25 Key statistics ............................................................................................................................... 26 Main problems............................................................................................................................... 27 Drivers of change.......................................................................................................................... 29 Section 1: Core Strategy Policies............................................................................................... 31 Spatial vision................................................................................................................................. 32 Relevant plans and strategies..................................................................................................... 33 North Hertfordshire sustainable community strategy .................................................................. 33 East Hertfordshire sustainable community strategy.................................................................... 34 Stevenage sustainable community strategy................................................................................ 35 Strategic objectives ...................................................................................................................... 37 Sustainable community................................................................................................................ 41 Sustainability and quality of life................................................................................................... 41 Commuting and self-containment ............................................................................................... 45 Jobs ............................................................................................................................................ 47 Balance of people ....................................................................................................................... 50 4 Stevenage LDF Core Strategy and Generic DC Policies Prosperity through regeneration and growth ............................................................................ 53 What causes deprivation?........................................................................................................... 54 Regeneration and growth............................................................................................................ 56 Raising aspirations and skills...................................................................................................... 57 Future challenges ....................................................................................................................... 58 Image .......................................................................................................................................... 59 Housing.......................................................................................................................................... 62 Strategic housing trajectory......................................................................................................... 63 Stevenage West.......................................................................................................................... 65 Social and affordable homes....................................................................................................... 66 Other house types....................................................................................................................... 67 Brownfield land ........................................................................................................................... 72 Gypsies and Travellers ............................................................................................................... 73 Travelling showpeople ................................................................................................................ 75 Employment areas ........................................................................................................................ 77 Existing employment areas......................................................................................................... 78 New employment sites................................................................................................................ 82 Town centre and shopping .......................................................................................................... 85 Retail hierarchy ........................................................................................................................... 86 Stevenage town centre ............................................................................................................... 86 Old Town High Street.................................................................................................................. 89 Existing neighbourhood centres.................................................................................................